Golf practice apparatus



Dec. 16, 1969 A. R. DAHLBERG 3,484,109

GOLF PRACT ICE APPARATUS Filed June 14, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 N w Q M Q Q N INVENTOR.

ARNOLD R. DAHLBERG AT TORNEYS Dec- 6.1969 A. R. DAHLBERG GOLF PRACTICE APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 14, 1967 INVENTOR. ARNOLD R. DAHLBERG ATTORNEYS United States Patent US. Cl. 273176 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A target having a generally frustoconically dish-shaped bottom wall and different target zones formed by concentric circular walls is positioned forwardly of a platform from which golf balls may be chipped. The upper limits of successive radially inwardly disposed concentric walls terminate at a progressively lower position than a preceding one of the concentric walls. Tripod legs support an annular ring which engages a downwardly extending groove in the outermost concentric wall and holds the target at an incline relative to the chipping platform. A trough returns balls from openings in the target zones to the chipping platform.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present device is constructed to provide a pleasant means to practice pitch or chip shots to a target area by a golfer or alternatively to provide a competitive game for two or more golfers or pairs of golfers. It is wellknown that a persons proficiency in a given sport is increased only with consistent practice and/or participation in the sport. For instance, in the game of golf, an important portion of the game is in the approach to the putting green. Inefiiciency in this aspect of the game results in unduly high golf scores. With this in mind I have provided a device which may be used by golfers either singly, as a practice device, or by two or more golfers or pairs of golfers as a competitive game to increase their approach or pitching shot skill toward a putting green. The device inclutes a pitching platform, simulating the feeling of turf, a target element constructed in a manner to minimize rebound of a golf ball received therein, and means for returning balls received in the target element to the pitching platform under the action of gravity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of my novel apparatus in operative position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in side elevation of a portion of FIG. 1, some parts being broken away and others shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a plan view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the supporting frame structure shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed section taken on the line 55 of FIG. 2, portions thereof being broken away;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed view in section as seen from the line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from line 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view in top plan of a portion of the ball return mechanism shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a view of the transverse section as seen from line 99 of FIG. 8.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a platform upon which a golfer ice and/or game participant stands and addresses the ball. Platform 10 may be formed of any suitable material simulating the feeling of turf, and is preferably provided with a reduced ball-receiving area 11 from which same is pitched by the golfer toward the target element identified in its entirety by the numeral 12.

As shown, target element 12 is cup-like in shape, and is preferably formed from a relatively thin plastic material to define a central upwardly opening pocket 13 and a plurality of concentric chambers 14, 15 which are formed by concentric ribs or walls 16, 17, and the outer wall 18. The thinness of the plastic material from which target element 12 is molded is such as to discourage rebound of golf balls pitched thereinto. Additionally, it will be noted that the bottom Wall includes portions 19, 20 which are generally frustoconically dish-shaped with respect to the plane of the open top of target element 12 and the upper limits of successive radially inwardly disposed walls 18, 17, 16 respectively terminate progressively lower than a preceding one of the walls 18, 17, 16, to tend to cause balls impacting thereagainst from rebounding away from the target element 12.

Supporting target element 12, in spaced relation to the pitching platform 10- and above said pitching platform with the vertical axis of target element 12 disposed along a line upwardly and toward said pitching platform, is a frame structure identified in its entirety by the numeral 21. Frame structure 21 includes an annular ring 210 which is received in a downwardly opening annular groove 22 formed on the upper periphery of the outer wall 18 and circumferentially spaced depending legs 23.

Each of the pockets 13 and concentric chambers 14, 15 have formed in their lowermost portions exit openings 24, 25, 26, respectively, that form exits from said target 12. Returning golf balls, under the action of gravity, from target element 12 to platform 10, as they leave respectively the exit openings 24, 25, 26, is an inclined trough 27. The upper end of trough 27 underlies said exit openings 24, 25, 26, and the lower end thereof terminates adjacent one edge of platform 10. Extending along one side of said trough 27 and providing a decorative support therefor between target element 12 and pitching platform 10 is a picket fence 28. As shown particularly in FIGS. 1, 3 that portion of the trough 27 supported by the picket fence 28 is laterally offset from the upper portion underlying the openings 24, 25, 26. Thus, the lower end of trough 27 terminates at a point to one side of platform 10 and in a position wherein the balls returned thereby are readily available to a participant standing on platform 10.

Means for maintaining balls returned by trough 27, in a position to be used by a participant standing on platform 10, is in the nature of a stop 29 carried by trough 27 at the terminal end thereof. Trough 27 is notched, as at 30, on the side adjacent to the ball-receiving area 11 of platform 10. It will be noted by reference to FIGS. 8, 9 that stop 29 is formed with the arcuate ball-engaging surface 31 and that notch 30 is positioned relative to stop 29 in a manner to form a socket which requires manual urging of a ball in engagement with the stop 29, by the golf club of a golfer, to dislodge same from the trough 27. Such a ball, dislodged from the trough 27, is directed toward the receiving area 11 on platform 10 by notch 30.

In addition to the above structure a score keeping table 32 and protecting umbrella 33 may be provided for the convenience of participants and to add to the aesthetic appearance of the device.

My invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects, and while I have shown a preferred 3 embodiment thereof, I wish it to be understood that same may be acapable of modification without departure from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for improving a golfers pitching skill of golf balls with a golfing club said apparatus comprising;

(a) a pitching platform;

(b) a target element;

(0) means supporting said target element in spaced relation to said platform with the vertical axis of said target element extending upwardly and toward said pitching platform;

(d) said target element including a generally relatively thin, frustoconically, dish-shaped bottom wall;

(e) a plurality of concentric, vertically projecting annular walls which cooperate with said bottom wall to define an upwardly opening central pocket and a plurality of radially outwardly disposed upwardly opening concentric channels;

(f) the upper limits of successive radially inwardly disposed walls terminating progressively lower than a preceding one of the walls;

(g) said central pocket and annular channels each having an exit opening formed in the bottom wall associated therewith; and

(h) ball return means, having one end thereof communicating with all of said openings and the other end thereof disposed adjacent said pitching platform, for returning golf balls received in said central pocket and annular channels to the said pitching platform.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which the upper edge of the outermost of said annular walls defines a circumferentially extended, downwardly opening annular groove exteriorly of said wall and in which said means supporting said target element comprises:

(a) an annular ring receivable in said annular groove;

and

(b) tri-pod leg means carried by and depending from said annular ring.

3. The structure of claim 1 in which said ball return means is an upwardly opening trough and in which said other end of said trough is formed to define stop means for balls received therein from said target element, said trough defining a notch therein adjacent said stop means which opens toward said pitching platform and which is positioned slightly above the bottom of said trough whereby to discourage lateral displacement of a golf ball positioned against said stop except under manual urging of the golf ball by the golf club of an operator.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,221,803 4/1917 Johnston. 1,442,054 1/1923 Dixon. 2,232,569 2/1941 Johnson 273182 2,541,266 2/1951 Metz.

GEORGE J. MARLO, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 273-105, 182 

